ZIRO, Aug 25: The Department of Legal Metrology and Consumers Affairs along with
members of Apatani Youth Association (AYA) jointly conducted unannounced checking
at several shops and business establishments at Hapoli and seized bakery products
from a shop for violation of Legal Metrology (packaged commodities) rules.

On receipt of a complaint of selling fungus/bacteria infected bakery products at
few shops, the team led by Hage Tabing, Assistant Controller, LM&CA, Ziro conducted
the checking drive and seized bakery products in packaged form for not giving mandatory
basic information on the package of the products like expiry date, date of manufacturing
etc.

The complainant had procured some bakery items from a grocery shop at Medical colony
which were found to be infected with fungus.

Moreover, the product did not carry basic information that are mandatory under Legal
Metrology (package Commodities) Rules, Tabin said.

He also warned the shopkeeper of taking legal action as per provisions of the Rules
if he repeats the same guilty in future. He also appealed to the consumers to inform
the Legal Metrology office about such products, if found, which do not carry basic
information.

DA gives away prizes to the meritorious student

ZIRO, Aug 25: The Lower Subansiri District Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar Uppu
announced merit certificate and a cash prizes to meritorious students of Lower Subansiri
district in order to encourage and promote the students.

The students have been selected from the rank of the Rajiv Gandhi University Examinations
of the academic year 2013-2014.

Meanwhile, the merit certificate along with a cash prize of Rs. 5000 each for 1st
rank and Rs. 3000 each for the rest will be handed over to the principals of the
concern institutions for further awarding the students.

Earlier, on the occasion of 68th Independence Day, topper of Cl-X and XII CBSE Examination’
2014 were awarded for the first time to the students who secured CGPA of 10 points
in the district.

In this connection a merit certificate was awarded to 28 students of Cl-X and a merit
certificate along with cash prizes of Rs 5000 each to 3 students securing 1st position
in percentage, Rs. 3000 each to 3 students securing 2nd position in percentage and
4 students securing 3rd position in percentage. DIPRO

All the participants showered praises on 16-Ward Councillor Kaniar Gida and the team
for organizing such an important workshop.

DC reviews preparedness on disaster management

PASIGHAT, Aug 25: East Siang Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Srivastava held a meeting
today on disaster preparedness in view of the present flood like situation in the
township. It was attended by the SP D Arya, DDMO G Tsomu, DMO Dr. D Bagra, DAO O
Yomso and engineers of PWD, WRD, PWD (HW), Power (Elect).

Addressing the officers, Srivastava informed that officially the danger level is
153.96m and now the situation is little better. Water level of Siang River recorded
today was 153.73m (5pm) at Komlighat Gauge-Discharge Station and nothing to be panic.
Though it was highest as 154.92m on Aug-23, today the water level found steady and
according to weather forecast situation would be better soon, she hoped.

After having detailed discussions with the officers, the DC said proper precautions
are to be taken to ensure our ability to meet any such disaster, if occurs. Landslides
triggered by incessant rains have caused extensive damages to roads infrastructure
and as a result Pangin-Pasighat (PP), Pasighat-Mariyang (PM), Mebo-Dhola (MD) and
Pasighat-Ledum-Tene-Koyu (PLTK) roads remains cut off.

Stating that district administration was well aware of the situation and closely
monitoring it, DC Srivastava asked the officers to remain prepared to tackle any
untoward incident. She while asking to expedite restoration of roads advised the
EE (HW) to take proper care of the men at work. She further asked the DMO to keep
available life saving medicines in store and DAO should keep watchful eye on the
situation and guide the farmers for pre and post flood situations, added the DC.
DIPRO

The Scientists of the Yak research centre and Subject Matter Specialists of the Lohit
KVK explained to the farmers about the benefits of cultivation of horticultural and
cereal crops under integrated fish cum pig farming, scientific breeding, feeding,
housing and disease management of pig, prevention and control of piglet diseases
and anaemia, importance of pig feces in fish farming, hatchery management, fish varieties
and their ration and management of pond.

A farmer-scientist interaction programme was also held on the last day of the training
and the trainee farmers were given participation certificate. The participating farmers
will be provided pig feeds, fingerlings, lime and piglets. later on under fish cum
pig demonstration.

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: The Arunachal Pradesh Elementary Teachers’ Association (APETA)
has called for cancelling the interview of TET qualified candidates for appointment
as Junior Teachers and to promote the in-service ATs as JTs on seniority basis.

In its letter written to the chief secretary seeking his intervention into the matter,
while saying that the process of inducting the TET qualified candidates for the post
is actually deprivation of the long serving ATs, it suggested that fresh interview
date be chalked out for a written test and interview as per R/R policy.

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: Flood situation remains grim in the state as almost all the major
rivers are on high spate.

Heavy downpour for last couple of days claimed one life and completely damaged three
dwelling houses at Sagalee where most of the residential colony was inundated by
flood water of Pare tributary during the wee hours today.

One Techi Yadik, wife of Techi Tadik of Rachi village of Leporiang under Sagalee
subdivision was buried under the massive landslide at Dapo colony in Sagalee and
her body was retrieved with the help of JCB later in the noon.

Terming the tragedy as very unfortunate and shocking, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki announced
ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs to the next of the kin of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Tuki today sounded alert in the face of flood fury that has gripped Arunachal
Pradesh and appealed to the people to remain alert.

Pointing out that such calamities are natural phenomenon which cannot be wished away,
he said that the need of the hour is to take precautionary measures, shift to safer
locations from the low lying areas for safety and staying remain alert.

The district administrations, particularly disaster management department have been
directed to take all possible steps for the safety and security of the masses, particularly
in inhabited areas located along the river basins.

Almost all the rivers, streams and rivulets in the state are in spate threatening
many major towns including Tezu, Namsai, Pasighat, Mebo and surrounding areas, he
said, adding the district administrations have been maintaining vigil round the clock.

Upper Siang cut off: Upper Siang district continues to be cut off from the rest of
the state due to heavy and incessant rain for the last two weeks. Several blockades
have occurred on Pasighat-Yingkiong via Mariyang Highway road due to landslides and
turbulent streams at various points; near Simong, Mopom and Sili.

On Pasighat-Yingkiong via Pangin, road blocks have occurred at 17.24km from Yingkiong.
Blocks have also occurred at several points on Yingkiong-Tuting-Gelling GREF road
during the last few days. BRTF/GREF personnel have been doing round the clock restoration
work, clearing disrupted points using bulldozer and earthmovers.

DC Dr Tariq Thomas is keeping strict vigil over the whole situation and is in constant
touch with all outpost administrative officers, GREF/BRTF authorities.

Meanwhile, EE WRD has reported that the water level of Siang River has risen upto
303 mtrs as recorded on August 23 last and average rainfall is 144.78mm. It is also
reported that the Eying Nolah (Irrigational Channel) for the entire Eying WRC area
of Padu village was completely washed away on August 21-22 last. Geku-Katan road
is also disrupted at several points. All tributaries of Lohit flowing above danger
level

NAMSAI: Due to incessant rain in last 72 hours, all the major rivers and tributaries
of Lohit and Nao-Dihing in Namsai District are running in spate with Nao-Dihing running
above the danger level.

Agriculture, Horticulture and AH & DD Minister Chowna Mein along with R K Sharma,
Deputy Commissioner Namsai and other officers visited flood affected areas and ensured
flood affected victims to provide all necessary help and assistance including required
relief materials from time to time.

In New Silatoo in Lekang Circle, the flood water is overflowing above the embankment
and a stretch of 110 m is damaged. In this area, about 48 families were affected
in this flood and the standing crops are totally damaged. At Dharampur, Lekang Gohain
Gaon, Rangalibeel, Dirak Miri and Rajabeel villages under Lekang Circle the flood
water entered in all the dwelling houses and cultivation land. The PMGSY road between
Lekang Gohain Gaon and Dirak Miri has been washed away and 600 persons are cut off
from the motorable road communication and at Philobari / Silatoo Kachari areas,
20 mtrs. of earthen embankment has been washed away under Lekang circle.

In Namsai circle - due to heavy inundation by Nao – Dihing river at Mengkeng Miri
and Champa village and about 500 peoples of the villages are affected. At Nampoong
village under Piyong circle, the bank erosion and flood water has caused heavy loss
of standing crops and tea gardens. In Chowkham circle - The Chakma – I and Chakma
– III villages have been affected by the flood waters of Lohit River. All flood affected
persons in the Namsai district are being shifted to safer places and required relief
materials have been distributed. Loss assessment will be carried out once the flood
water recedes completely, according to official release.

Emergency meeting at Aalo: Taking serious note on reported communication snaps in
all routes connecting West Siang district, drinking water scarcity and other likely
catastrophes due to incessant rain for the last ten days, Deputy Commissioner Pige
Ligu in an emergency meeting at Aalo today asked the DDMO to activate the control
room at DC’s office and put staff on duty on roaster basis to collect information
on any disaster and crisis at different locations.

Direction have also been given to concerned departments to keep buffer stock on ration
commodities, LPG, drinking water scarcity in the township, water logging, blockage
of drains, rise in water level in the low lying areas, water borne diseases and stocking
of medicines to tackle causalities and treatment within as patients cannot be evacuated
due to communication snaps at different routes.

All officers entrusted with different nature of duties have been asked to make field
inspections and furnish report timely on any eventuality to avert any natural catastrophe.

Meanwhile, the Aalo-Likabali road is reported to be blocked at Garo, Aalo-Pasighat
road snapped, the valley bridge near Gapo in Aalo Mechuka road has been tilted and
passengers are reported to be stranded in many places. The district administration
is keeping constant touch with BRTF to clear roads. The Superintendent of Police,
PD DRDA, all Administrative Officers of DC Office, DMO, EE PHED, DDMO and Dy. Director
UD and Housing attended the Meet.

APCC president briefs CM on flood situation

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Padi Richo today
briefed Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on state’s current flood situation and urged him
to take all necessary steps to prevent any loss of life and further damage of properties.

He urged the Chief Minister to instruct the respective district administration and
department concerned to take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent any
loss of life and further damage of properties due to flood.

He suggested the chief Minister to make arrangement for providing relief items to
the flood affected people. He informed flood situation remained grim in many districts
while road communication to many places remained cut off for many days causing great
hardship to the affected people.

“Almost all the people in interior and far flung areas remained stuck in their respective
areas due to disruption in road communication,” he said and urged the Chief Miniser
provide relief/ ration items to those affected people at the earliest.

Richo also appealed to the people of the State to remain alert and cautious during
the monsoon season.

Rare Butterfly photographed first time in India

Ziro, Aug 25: History was created when Kaiser-e-Hind (Teinoplaspus imperialis) was
photographed yesterday live for the first time in India by Dr. Tage Kanno during
a Butterfly Meet at Ziro organized by NgunuZiro.

This species of butterfly has been photographed in Vietnam and Thailand but no live
image has ever been photographed in India.

Recently, a dead specimen was photographed in Sikkim and half-dead one photographed
in Manipur, but this is for the first time that a live butterfly specimen has been
photographed.

In addition, this is for the first photographic proof that this rare specimen exists
in Arunachal Pradesh.

Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, who participated in the Butterfly Meet as an expert, said this
is a historic event.

He further said that the species was common locally 60 years back in Cherrapunji,
but was no longer seen there due to habitat loss and export of the specimen for business
purposes by the experts. The specimen, he said, also was common a hundred years back
in Manipur.

NgunuZiro is a community-based organization working for sustainable development of
the area. With this objective, it has been promoting and encouraging responsible
tourism at Ziro. It was with the objective to create environmental awareness that
the two-day Butterfly Meet was organized on August 23 and 24.

Arunachal area left out of India Map

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: The govt of India rejected an August 2013 request by senior officials
to correct a serious error, dating back over 50 years, in India's official maps,
an Arunachal territory as large as Sikkim or Goa shown as belonging to China. In
effect, this oversight in official maps mistakenly gave China control of two Arunachal
Pradesh "fishtails" and continuously inhabited by Indian citizens.

The report published in Sunday Guardian states that the two "fishtail" formations
in Arunachal Pradesh were omitted from maps prepared by the Survey of India during
the 1960s, although the area has always been under the control of India. No public
records exist as to why and how such a significant error was made. In 1962, recognising
the fact that this territory was Indian, soldiers from the People's Liberation Army
of China, who had occupied the fishtails during November 1962, withdrew after the
unilateral ceasefire declared by Beijing that month. "Since then and before, the
area within the two fishtails has always been occupied by our troops, as well as
by the Mishmi tribe, all of whom are citizens of India. Our claim on the territory
is incontestable and our maps ought to have been updated to reflect this," a senior
official is quoted as saying in the report.

The fact that maps showed the two "fishtails" as being outside Indian territory
was, brought to the attention of then Home Minister and Director-General of the Indo-Tibetan
Border Police (ITBP) in 2010, along with reports of Chinese troops entering the area
in 2011 and 2012, the Sunday Guardian reports adds.

Urgent need to conserve & promote Paris polyphylla in Arunachal

Egam Basar

I have heard a story about a greedy man who killed his hen that used to lay golden
eggs, in order to get all eggs in one go! But his effort went in vain and he lost
a gold yielding treasure! I am reminded of this story when I see our people indulging
in illegal trade on rare and highly valued medicinal plants of the State by unmindfully
extracting the important herbs from our forests and sell it to middlemen or bio-pirates.
Their actions for quick money is ultimately going to result in extinction of rare
and valuable medicinal plants of the State like the golden hen of greedy man’s story.

Paris polyphylla is one such rare plant which is now facing extinction from the State
due to rampant illegal extraction and trade. This plant, which grows in mid hills
to high hills of the State from 1000 m to 3000 m from MSL, was unknown to the people.
It is during these recent years the locals came to know about its economic importance
due to the heavy demand from across the borders, especially from China. The plant
is extensively used in Traditional Chinese Medicine System. It is known as Chong
Lou in Chinese, Love Apple in English and Thoksampa in Bhutanese. The plant can
attain a height about 100 cm and yield rhizomes weighing up to 1500 gm which is the
main part used in the trade. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with 3-8 leaves that
grow in a single whorl below a flower growing in two whorls. It grows and blooms
well in places with moist and humus rich soil under a forest canopy of full shade
to partial shade.

The rare medicinal plant is used in traditional Chinese medicines as it has anti
bacterial, antispasmodic, anti narcotics and anti cancer properties. All parts of
the plant can be used as a pain reliever, antiphlogistic (removing heat), diphtheria,
and epidemic Japanese B encephalitis. A mixture of its roots and rhizomes can be
used in treating poisonous snakebites, insect bites, and boils. Whatever may be the
used in plant based medicinal preparations, this plant is in high demand for which
the middle man or bio-pirates, especially from Assam and Manipur, offers lucrative
price upto Rs 4500/- ( Four thousand Five Hundred) in dry weight and Rs. 1500/- in
fresh weight to the local youths ! The collected herbs are believed to be further
exported to China via Myanmar. Though illegal, there is no denying the fact that
the trade has assumed a level of multi-crore business in the State with increasing
price for the rhizomes of the plant as it become rarer day by day. If the trade is
not checked and conservation not started at right earnest, the plant will be very
soon, a story in the State.

Therefore, it is high time that the Forest Department give distress calls to its
range offices to curve the ongoing illegal trade. At the same time, all those who
want to conserve and promote this important medicinal plant through cultivation may
approach Mission Director, Arunachal Pradesh Horticulture Research and Development
Mission ( APHRDM ), Itanagar for trial cultivation. The mission has already started
a trial cultivation and conservation of Paris polyphylla with involvement of unemployed
youths at a place in West Siang district, from where heavy extraction was reported.
The interested group or individual, however, should be from the area where the plant
occurs.

Arunachal Pradesh houses numerous medicinal plants, many of which are rare and endangered.
There are about 45 Red Listed medicinal plants in the State. If these rare medicinal
plants are judiciously developed and utilized, it can turn around the present dismal
conditions of rural economy and unemployment. Just imagine, at the lucrative rate
of Rs.4500/- per kg, one needs to produce a quintal or 100 Kg of dry rhizomes to
get Rupees Four Lacs Fifty thousand! Though it is still a matter of research regarding
its cultivation and productivity in our State’s agroclimatic conditions, however,
with available information and past experience on other plants, it will not be difficult
to produce a quintal of dry herbs from a hectare land. There is no elaborate post
harvest management or marketing infrastructure requirements for these herbs unlike
other tradition crops such as Orange, Apple, Kiwi etc. Just produce, dry, sell and
become lakhpati! Thus, these rare medicinal plants are in fact, the treasure of the
State like the golden hen of the greedy man’s story which must be protected at any
cost! And it is a new avenue the government is giving emphasis for upliftment of
rural economy and self employment. Therefore, although the old habits die hard, people
of Arunachal must not act greedy and foolish but judiciously use our resources and
preserve it for generations to come, lest we too are also called “ greedy and foolish
man who killed the golden hen”. ( The author is Mission Director of Arunachal Pradesh
Horticulture Research and Development Mission and can be contacted at basaregam@yahoo.com)

APHPM & PB MD takes part in International Agribusiness Congress-2014

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: Tage Tatung, Managing Director, Arunachal Pradesh Horticultural
Produce Marketing & Processing Board (APHPM&PB) has participated as one of the speakers
in the International Agribusiness Congress-2014 which was held at Bangalore on August
23 and 24. The Congress was organized by “Media today” group and supported by MIDH,
NCCD, MOFPI, APEDA and Government of Karnataka and inaugurated by Sanjeev Chopra,
Joint Secretary, Government of India, New Delhi.

In the technical session, Tatung spoke on the topic - “Present scenario of Horticulture
in Arunachal Pradesh”. He informed the gathering that Arunachal is producing huge
surplus in Horticultural crops like Orange, Kiwi fruit, pineapple, ginger etc. He
informed the house about the priority given to Horticultural sector by Government
of India and Government of Arunachal.

He said “at present stage we shall not go for production of identical products which
are already exists in the market, we will go for new products like fruit wine, organic
production of fruits and vegetables etc.” He invited the interested investors on
Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode in fruits and vegetables processing. The technical
papers among others were presented by Herald Braungardt, MD, INDEGA, Germany, Thera
Rohling, Priva, Holland, Arvind Surange, CMD, ACR Consultants, Anbarasu, Chief Regional
Manager, AIC, Bangalore. SK Pattnayak, Bangalore Development Authority attended
as the Chief Guest in the valedictory session, according to an official release.

Local panchayat members, Gaon Burahs, school children and local villagers participated
in the tree plantation.

Later addressing the gathering, Range Forest Officer (T) of Ruksin P Tamuk explained
the significance of Van Mahotsav celebration. He said Van Mohatsava is celebrated
annually to encourage plantation activities among the school children, teachers and
rural people. Tamuk spoke on various environmental issues related to plantation and
conservation of natural resources.

Stating that plants give us food, timber, shelter and medicines, the Range Officer
urged the young students and teachers of the school to nurture the saplings planted
into trees. He said that protection of greenery in the wastelands, roadsides and
human habitats besides compounds of schools, offices and other institution is the
need of hour to protect our environment.

Deputy Range Officer B Megu requested the community people to plant more and more
saplings to control air pollution in the surrounding areas while DPVN Principal Ranjit
Doley appealed to the local villagers to protect the natural resources for the current
and future generations.

The forest officials have lamented that their department has no fund for conducting
'Mass Awareness Programme' on the environmental issues. Though the forest office
here has no nursery of its own, yet the officials managed to supply more than 200
saplings of different species including fruit and timber yielding, ornamental and
medicinal, which were planted inside the school premise.

Among others, Ngorlung Gaon Burahs- Oling Tarang and Akyut Litin, Ngorlung Anchal
Member Anung Mibang and forest officials also spoke on the occasion.

PRI leaders resent tardy progress of works

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: A joint team of PRI leaders of Nafra and Parent Teacher Council
members of JNV, Nafra headed by Nafra ZPM Miali Sanchoju yesterday visited the permanent
campus of Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya at Khellong village under Nafra circle to take
stock of progress of construction works of school buildings.

The inspection was made following complaints from parents and guardians of students
of the school over delay in completion of the school, hostel building and other infrastructure.
The construction work of buildings, which was started in 2009, was supposed to be
completed by 2013, the release claimed.

Delay in completion of the school buildings is not only causing accommodation problem
to the students but also depriving many students from getting admission in the school,
it said. As per norms, 80 students can be admitted in Class VI per year in JNVs.
But, the intake capacity of students in class VI has been reduced to 40 due to insufficient
infrastructure.

The PRI members strongly demanded the executing agency/contractors to complete the
project as soon as possible for the benefit of the students of West Kameng district.

The PRI members have also decided to bring this matter to the notice of the Ministry
of Human Resource Development, Government of India and higher officials of Navodaya
Vidyalaya Samiti.

Pario pleads Centre for special sanction

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: PHE and WS Minister Takam Pario attended the national discussion
on National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) & Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan and the
review of achievement under 100 days target held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today.
The meeting discussed on the concept of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan for cover sanitary
and safe water to all by 2019. He was accompanied by Er Lupalum Kri, CE PHED (EZ)
and Er Tomo Basar CE PHED (D&P).

In his address Pario drew the attention of the Ministry towards various constraints
faced by Arunachal being one of the toughest states in terms of its remoteness, harsh
terrains, communication bottlenecks and climatic conditions.

He informed the house on the large number of rural habitations still partially covered
and uncovered with potable water supply in the state. While informing the initiative
of the state Govt to take up rural water supply through special package for Border
blocks from Planning Commission/ Home Ministry, Border Area Development Programme
etc he requested the concerned central ministry for a special sanction over the normal
allocation under NRDWP to cover those habitations under 0-25% coverage category which
would go a long way to help realize GoI’s planned target of 2019.

In regards to NBA programme, Pario requested for consideration of funding pattern
of 90:10 for N.E states. While on convergence of various programmes of MGNREGA,
IWMP, IAY etc with NBA, he suggested that GoI may facilitate merger of funds at its
level instead of leaving it for the state to do it. He further advocated for a provision
of atleast Rs 3000 p.m as honorarium for the Swachtadoot.

Lastly, he appraised the problem of the flood damages in regards to water supply
installation in the state due to incessant rainfall and requested the GoI for financial
support.

The Ministry took note of the requests and the suggestions of the Minister and assured
for positive response, according to an official release.

Earlier, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari dwelled on the ways and means to achieve the
target by 2019 and target of covering all schools with toilets by 15th Augast of
2015 as announced by Prime minister. He also assured support of the GoI to the states
in the endeavor while underlining the need to be more transparent and accountable
in implementation of the programmes.

CM urges Centre for 8 new ITBP Bns in state

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today disclosed that he had requested
the Union Home Ministry to set up eight more new ITBP battalions in Arunachal Pradesh.

He revealed this during a discussion with Inspector General of ITBP R K D Singh and
DIGP Ajay Pal Singh, when the duo called on the former in his chamber here to seek
his support for land for setting up of an ITBP training centre and briefed him about
various activities of the ITBP.

One reserve battalion nearby state capital in Papum Pare district would be kept
for meeting any exigency relating to law and order problems, he said.

The CM informed the duo that he has written to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
to shift the ITBP headquarters from Shillong to Itanagar for easy administration
and movement for the force which are guarding the frontier border areas.

The CM assured the duo to allot about 35 hectares of land in Bhalukpong area in West
Kameng district where an ITBP training centre has been proposed. ITBP has a training
centre at Kimin.

After the duo highlighted various activities of the ITBP, a central para military
force, and its increasing requirement of strength with more border posts coming up,
the CM sought their support for conducting recruitment drives in the state.

He disclosed that he has requested MoS (Home Affairs), in letter, for relaxing height
and qualification for Arunachalees and giving special quota for state’s sports persons,
including weightlifters, karatekas, Judokas, mountaineers, footballers etc. in all
future recruitments by the ITBP.

However, the CM exhorted the youths to get mentally prepared for joining central
para military forces as he has received positive indication in this regard.

Tuki assured all possible support of the state government and lauded the ITBP for
serving the nation.

It would be worth mentioning here that Tuki is the only chief minister to have visited
most of the border posts including few manned by the ITBP.

It may be recalled that the chief minister during his meeting with Union Home Minister
and his deputy Kiren Rijiju on June 11 last at New Delhi had received a positive
response to his pleas on improving the security scenario of the state.

Through your esteemed daily newspaper, I would like to bring to the notice of the
concern authorities that due to non-stop rain since few months there are reports
of many deaths, injuries and collapse of houses everywhere.

We’ve all seen that roaring rivers and landslide can turn deadly in an instant.

When it occurs, stay away from active work zone. If you live in a landslide-prone
area and Hills region be alert, particularly during period of heavy rain, because
life is precious and we cannot bring it back once it is gone.

Water is the common causes of landslide and erosion. Check your home drainage system.
Maintaining the drainage system on private property is the owner’s responsibility.
Make sure your drainage system direct water away from foundation and not on to your
neighbour’s property. Never block any part of the town drainage. Do not put leaves,
dirt, grass clipping or any materials in ditches, culverts or drain. Doing this can
caused flooding. It is against the law to dump any material into the drain.

Due to rain past couple of weeks have wrecked havoc in Sagalee. There is report of
one death and collapse of four houses. The affect have been severer in several districts
in the state.

Due to heavy rain, the power supply have been disrupted in several pockets in the
state.

Lastly, it is an appeal to the state govt and concern authority to look into the
problems of the victims.

Yours,

Ngurang Tamang

Don Bosco College,

Itanagar

Protect the properties

Dear Editor,

The spate of robberies reported from various government schools, which go unreported
in the print media is a boon for the persons who perpetuate the theft. The latest
being the theft of computer systems from Polo Colony higher secondary school on Saturday
night/ Sunday early morning.

The police don’t take these seriously as the property belongs to the government and
the NGO who laboriously manage such infrastructure to help the students. The student
unions are least interested in such incidents but they don’t understand that it’s
the same student community that are losing valuable education being imparted through
computer education or ICT.

I sincerely hope the department of education and the school authorities take these
robberies seriously as the property belongs to the students of the state and they
are to be protected at any cost.

Yours,

Joram Nama

Doimukh

Forced to drink raw and un-treated water

Dear Editor,

Through your esteemed paper, I would like to put forward my concerns regarding water
supplied by the Department of Public health Engineering at Aalo township.

As revealed by the Assistant Engineer, PHED, Aalo on 14.08.2014 at DC’s conference
hall during the interaction meeting convened by Minister (PWD), the consumers of
Aalo township are provided raw and un-treated water by the department due to non-functioning
of the water treatment plant located at Yeggo area since its inception.

It was also informed to the house that water tapped at intake is full of pesticides,
insecticides, manures and other medicines used for killing herbs/plants used by farmers
and villagers upstream in their WRC fields. The water from WRC fields joins the stream
at its upstream.

During cultivation time, muddy water with leeches and earthworms comes directly to
the consumers. Is it not a matter of great concern as we are consuming these pesticides
etc? Why cannot the dept take care for the health of the public as its name itself
is Public Health Engineering? Why is the water treatment plant not made operational
and who is responsible for constructing this defect plant? Why is the dept. playing
with the lives of so many consumers? Pesticides and other medicines are severely
affecting the health of the people specially the children.

I urge the department to ponder on the above issues and supply potable water to the
consumers before it is too late. The water treatment plant may be made operational
immediately and tap clean & unpolluted water from a good source for good health.

It is regretted that in spite of having maximum numbers of Chief Engineers & Secretary
(PHED) in the area, we are yet to get potable water in this 21st century!

Yours,

Likom Ete, Aalo

Politics and transfer

Dear Editor,

The executive committee of Arunachal Teacher Association (ATA), Kurung Kumey District
Unit would like to share with the concern authorities and the people the problem
facing the teachers.

It has been observed that since re-opening of academic session 2014-15, the education
system in some assembly constituencies of the district is being badly hampered due
to politically motivated transfer / posting and replacement.

At Govt. Secondary School, Parsi Parlo, without officially handing / taking over
charge a newly appointed teacher is sitting in the chair of Headmaster depriving
senior most serving J/T because of politics.

This is an ugly trend in the education sector. It is also seen that at Damin, a newly
appointed SSA teacher is being made the BRCC in place of senior serving teacher whose
service length is 24 years. In many places senior regular teachers are being transferred
out. In their place, new teachers have been brought in as in­-charge depriving the
deserving ones.

The education system has worsened and the dignity of the teachers completely undermined
due to which quality of education is being compromised.

On the other hand, only Panchayat bodies are authorised to guide the teachers in
the interior to bring quality education but it is seen that in some constituencies
MLAs violate this order.

Therefore, to bring quality education in the district as a whole your immediate intervention
is highly solicited to preserve, protect and save the dignity of teaching fraternity.

It is our sincere request to take up the matter before the situation became worse
to stop all deprived teachers from seeking legal actor or democratic movement.

Yours,

Tadar Mohan

President

ATA Kurung Kumey District Unit

---------------------------------------------

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address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.

----Editor

---- Editorial ----

Distasteful statement by DoNER minister

Union minister for development of northeastern region (DoNER) Vijay Kumar Singh on
Friday said floods in Assam is "nothing new". On his ministry's role in finding a
way to handle this perennial problem, Singh said "DoNER has got no role in flood
control. It is a job of ministry of water resources. DoNER FUNDS are not enough even
to contribute to type of things that the state requires. His statement has been widely
criticized, with citizens of North East taking to social networking sites to thrash
his condemnable statement.

Analysts believe that his statement about flood came in wrong time. Whole of North
East India is battling heavy rainfall at this juncture. Landslide and flood have
wrecked havoc throughout the region. Flood situation especially in Assam continues
to remain grim with water levels of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries swelling,
inundating several villages on Sunday. The situation in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Jorhat
and Dibrugarh districts has worsened. As per the reports, over 3.51 lakh people of
772 villages in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Jorhat have been hit by floods. Dhemaji is
the worst-affected district in the state with about 2.25 lakh people marooned in
566 villages. DoNER minister showed his insensitivity by making such statement during
this critical period. He being former army man and having served in NE states in
the past should be sympathetic towards suffering caused by massive flood.